Results 4,741-4,760 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Health Services Staff (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Expenditure (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: As I have previously announced, the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) will not be introduced in September 2017, but will be introduced at the earliest possible date. However, I do not want to delay the benefit of higher childcare subsidies for families. I am pleased to confirm that major improvements in childcare subsidies will therefore come into effect this September, including increases of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Expenditure (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: As I have previously announced, the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) will not be introduced in September 2017, but will be introduced at the earliest possible date. However, I do not want to delay the benefit of higher childcare subsidies for families. I am pleased to confirm that major improvements in childcare subsidies will therefore come into effect this September, including increases of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Services for People with Disabilities (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: On 20th March 2017 I announced the Early Years Capital programme for 2017 in three strands, as follows: - Strand 1: Additional Places (€3 million total available – maximum €50,000 per grant); - Strand 2: Building improvements and maintenance/refurbishment (€500,000 total available, maximum €20,000 per grant, Community childcare services only); -...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Counselling Services Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I can inform the Deputy that the services referred to are HSE services, and the matter is therefore under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: State Bodies Code of Conduct (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: The agencies under the remit of my Department are committed to full compliance with taxation laws and it can be confirmed that they discharged their tax liabilities for the year 2015. Reports in respect of their 2016 financial statements will be submitted in due course upon certification of their accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Aftercare Services (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Care Services Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Family Resource Centres (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency provides financial support to some 109 communities through the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. This typically covers the employment of two to three members of staff and some overhead costs. In 2017, Tusla's current allocation to the Family Resource Centre Programme is approximately €13.5m. Tusla has advised that it is working with West...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Funding (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I have requested information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in relation to this matter. I will revert to the Deputy once I have been furnished with a response by Tusla.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Counselling Services Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I can inform the Deputy that the service referred to is a HSE service, and the matter is therefore under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: On 11 April, I made an announcement that the Affordable Childcare Scheme would not commence this September but that a range of measures will be introduced by my Department to make childcare more affordable for thousands of families throughout Ireland. This honours a key commitment in the Programme for Government. I can confirm that these measures, which will benefit the families of tens of...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Staff Relocation (20 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: As my Department has no offices outside the Dublin region, the issue of staff applying for transfers to internal locations outside Dublin does not arise. With regard to applications to transfer to other Departments or State Agency offices, my Department does not operate a transfer list. Staff may have their interest in a transfer listed with other Departments who hold a transfer list, or...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Child Care Services (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I thank Senator Mulherin for raising this important issue and giving the House a valuable opportunity to reflect on this matter, which is the subject of debate in the early years sector and touches on some of the key policy considerations that are driving the reforms being progressed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The Senator has already mentioned some of the ways in which...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I thank Senator Lombard. I offer him this response on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton. It provides me with an opportunity to clarify the position of the Department of Education and Skills in regard to the accommodation needs of Scoil Eoin in Innishannon, County Cork. The Senator is aware of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Refugee Resettlement Programme (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Senator for raising this matter and I am responding to it on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, although, obviously, this is a matter with which I am engaged in my Ministry. To reflect the will of the people of Ireland to assist those most vulnerable who are fleeing conflict and persecution, the Government established the Irish refugee protection programme in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Refugee Resettlement Programme (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: It is important the Senator continues to raise the issue. Having participated in one aspect of the initiatives through the Department of Justice and Equality - my Department was involved with the matter of unaccompanied minors - I saw at first hand the complexity of the issues involved to do what we want, particularly in terms of working closely with another country. Italy is a case in...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I thank very much the Senators for putting forward the amendments and the work that has gone into them. As the Senators are aware, I will make reference to post-adoption contact between birth parents and adopted children. This is not currently provided for or regulated by statute, therefore, to refer to it in adoption legislation represents a major policy change. To provide for any such...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: That is my second point. Regardless or whether they require or are voluntary, this would still place in law something that raises questions in regard to the constitutional issue in terms of the protection of the family under Article 41. Third, any plans with prospective adopters about post-adoption contact are not legally enforceable having regard to the rights of parents under the...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Jun 2017)

Katherine Zappone: I am not in disagreement with much of what the Senators have put forward, and particularly what Senator Higgins has just articulated. It is important that we acknowledge fully the child's right to relationship. However, an ad hoc system is inadequate. I am not accepting these amendments now. The various amendments refer to voluntary contact plans and the need to put them into legislation....